Apparatus for making boots and shoes.



R. F. McFEELY. APPARATQSQFGR MAKiNG soars AND CATION FIHu U-LYQB. I908. RENEWED 0 SHOES.

CT. 26, m4.

Patented Apr. 13

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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R. F McFEELY. APPARATUS FOR MAKING B0018 AND SHOES. CATION FILED JULYZQ. I908- RENEWE D OCT. 26,1914.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R. F. McFEELY. APPARATUS FOR MAKING BOOTS AND SHOES. APPLICATION FILED JULY29, I908- RENEWED OCT.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915. v 4 SHEETS-SHEBT 3.

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R. F. McFEELY. APPARATUS FOR MAKING BOOTS AND SHOES. APPLICATION FILED JULY29, I908- mzmzwsn OCT. 26 1914.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

RONALD F. MGFEELY, 0F BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOE TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF Nil-dill? JERSEY.

APPARATUS ron MAKING BOOTS Ann sHons.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed duly 29,1908, Serial No. 445,929. Renewed 0ctoher 26, 1914. Serial No. 868,762.

'10 all whom it may comm-n:

F. MoFnnnY,

Be it known that I, Ronnnn a citizen of the United States, residingat Beverly, in "the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Apparatus for Making Boots and Shoes, of which the followingdbscription, in connection with the accompanying drawings, isa specification, like 'referencecharacters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to apparatus for working an upper orer a last, certain features of the invention being directed particularly to grippers, their mode of operation, and actuating mechanism therefor.

A very important feature of this invention consists in grippers which are adapted to engage the upper about the end portion ofa shoe and are formed in relatively movable, preferably curved sections arranged to I contour of the end By this arrangement the same grippers may be employed with lasts of difierent widths and shapes and will conform to the shape or the particular last being .used.

A further adapt themselves to the feature of'the invention consists in means for returning to a uniform rela-- tive position gripper sections which have been relatively shifted to adapt them to the shape of the shoe last operated upon.

In accordance with the preferred arrangementwhich involves still a further feature of this invention the gripper sections are returned after each pulling operation to a. starting position or relation in which they are or may be'spread apart to receive the upper of a last of maximum size and are caused to pull the upper initially in a direction outwardly from the side faces of the last. An advantage of this feature of the invention is to be found in the fact that the upper is initially .pulled over the top face of the last with a minimum of frictionalresistance by contact with the side faces of the last. By this ineans the upper is first straightened over the top of the last, removing all wrinkles and fullness and then is gradually wrapped about the sides of the last. and as herein shown. finally drawn inwardly over the edge of thelast and .thcn laid down upon the. last bottom. After the upper is released and While the grippers a re being lowered to gripping position for the next shoe the sections 5 5 are automatically spread apart. Provision is made for adjusting the spreading means to accommo d ate the. range of sizes of lasts that are being used. A desirable characteristic of the illustrated construction is that receive right or left lasts that have more swing or fullness on the outer side than on the inner side. lit is customary to last a series of rights and then a series of lefts, as for example the rights and then the lefts of .a case of shoes, and the positioning means can be made to retain the grippers automatically to position for receiving such right lasts and then when the right shoes have been treated, can be adjusted to return the the left shoes.

.. In addition to the provisions above de- 'scribed for relatively shifting or adjusting the sections of thegrippers, or relatively changing their normal positions, a further feature of this invention contemplates pro-r vision for adjusting transversely of the last the grippers that engage the upper at the end and sides of copending application Serial No. 372,055 to adjust asingle toe gripper transversely of the last but it is new,'as I am advised, to

adjust widthwlse of a last gripping devices as well line of the forward portion extends obliquely to the median line of the rear portion. \Vhen the heel portions of such lasts are supported in substantially uniform position the toe end of a right last is located at the right of the central position of the grippers and the toe end of a left last at the left side. of that position and the transverse adjustment of the" forepart grippers is of gibvious importance in order to obtain a suitable square pulling When the widthwise adjustment is used with the relative adjustment of the curved gripper sections, as 'is herein shown, the grip- Patented Apr. is, 19115.

grippers thereafter to position for receiving 75 I the end of the shoe. It has' heretofore been proposed as explained in my as of the upper.

'. the toe end and pers can be positioned to receive a crooked ast having excess of swing on its outer side in approximately the same relation as a straight last is received. 7

In accordance with a further feature of this invention means is provided for simultareously adjusting the grippers for swing an illustratedhas also out adjustment transversely and rotatively.

Another feature of this invention consists in thecombination with grippers that have v I jaws curvedor arranged to present substantially continuous gripping faces for engagmg an upper at the sides and end of the toe portion of a shoe, of means for actuating the grippers upwardly and forwardly with relatlon to an inverted last. By this combination the grippers are caused to apply to the full width of the forepart of the upper a forward strain which draws the entire upper toward the toe of the last prior to wrapping the upper over the end of the last.

further very important feature of this invention consists in means for actuating gripping devices which engage the upper at the opposite sides of the toe portion of the shoe. These devices are herein shown as the sectional curved grippers before referred to which are formed to embrace the toe portion of the shoe and to receive and pull the upper throughout the breadth of its forward portion, at the sides as well as at the end of the too but no limitation not clearly expressed in the claims is to be implied by theillustration 'of this particular embodiment of the invention. In accordance with this feature of the invention as herein applied the portions of the gripers that pull the upper at the sides of the s 0e are lifted relatively to the portion which pulls at the toe end of the shoe. This relative movement occurs near the end of the pulling operation all'tLby thus actuatin the rippers the up er is first stretched forwardly and .upwar 13] over the toe end and then the portion engagedby the rear parts of the grippers receives an additional pull,

that draws it snugly to the last. If the gr ppers present substantially continuousgrippmg edgesas herein shown the relative uplift o their rear ends affects an additional pull which is fmaximumextent at the rear ends of the jaws and gradually decreases toward the toe. This additional pul l is of special value in conforming an upper to a last, such as many in use at the present time, which is high or thick over the toe and relatively lower from the toe to and over the ball. It is particularly difficult to shape the upperover such a last but this movement of the grippers produces a tightening of the upper over the rear sloping face of the high toe that is very effective. -In the cro'okedness of the last. The means 'b provision for independof the grippers sections cline at the back of the toe and -ch1ne. As explained in Letters mma'king sho s on crooked lasts,

preferred embodiment of this invention the whole forepart gripper is actuated forwardly during its up ifting increment and particularly during the first part of that movement. This effects a forward pulling of the entire upper throughout its breadth as distinguished from a pull that is exerted y a narrow upwardly-drawing toe gripper mainly along the middle of the upper, and thus more thoroughly takes the lengthwise stretch from the upper and also draws it over the toe with a minimum of binding against the side faces of the last. Another advantage incident to this forward pull is that the upper is drawn downwardly along the inclined top face of the last. This forward pulling of the upper preferably begins while the upper is held away' from the side faces of the last at which time the up er may be pulled over the top of the last with the least frictional resistance. This forward movement of the grippers is effected as shown by a cam over which the gripper bar engages as the bar is lifted. During this lifting the upper end of the bar engages an incline by which that end is moved forwardly, the bar fulcruming on the cam and the rear or heel end of the gripper jaws being relatively lifted while the jaws may swing backwardly somewhat, but this backward movement is partially or wholly offset by the inclination of the said can-1. By this movement the upper is drawn into the inis wrapped over the toe end while under tension for conforming it to the contour of the last.

In the form of grippers herein shown which include sectional curved jaws the work of centering the last laterally is very much facilitated. By the use of the device for shifting the grippers laterally, as herein explained, the grippers may be adjusted to position right and left crooked lasts in proper lateral-relation to the side grippers and the other instriunentalities of the ma- Patent of the United States No. 1,030,264, granted. on my prior application, Serial No. 540,221, filed Jan. 26, 1910, the/side grippers of the machine in which this invention is shown as applied are adapted to be employed as gages or tip seam position indicating means by the aid of which the operator can insert the upper with the tip seam in predetern'iincd relation to the machine. By the use of the last end abutment additional. accuracy is secured as to the length of the toe ti 7 from the end of the last to the tip seam. 'lso by the use of a last end abutment which also centers the last. laterally there is greater surety of obtaining a correct angular relaor as it is called, a

straight tip seam. This is particularly the case when, a means 1s This offsets partially or wholly the toe end andare sii'nultaneously the upperover the employed'for adjusting laterally the last end abutment constituted by the toe gripper to adapt it for the right and the left last.

In the machine herein shown as embody ing this invention wipers are employed to wipe into lasted position about the forepart of the last the upper whicl. has been pulled by the described grippers.

These wipers are mounted by means which includes a novel feature of he present invention to adjust themselves to a crooked last by movements similar to those described for the g ippers. These wipers are actuated luu'ii' ardly from closed inwardly from the sides of the shoe to force position. The backward movement of the wipers has an obvious tendency to force backwardly along the edge of the last the upper at the sides of the shoe. This b tch- Ward pressure on the upper has a well recognized tendency to produce fullness, some-- times resulting in a wrinkle in the upper, at the ends of the wipers. it is a feature of this invention that the forward movement of the ,grippers'which engage the upper atthe sides as ,well as at the toe end stretches the entire forward portion of the upper toeward, including the marginal portion at the sides of the shoe as well as at the toe end.

the backward push of the wipers at the sides of the shoe and prevents the formation of the objectionable fullness which has heretofore been dillicult to avoid. Preferably the grippers hold the upper under forward tension while the wipers are acting thereby still further counteracting the backward push of the wipers.

The patentable novelty herein disclosed in methods of making shoes and which may advan-J which relates to improvements tageously be practised by. the aid of the described mechanism, although it may also-be employed'with other apparatus or in making shoes wholly or claimed in this application but constitutes the subject-matter of a divisional application Serial No. 599,337.

These and other features of this invention which it is my intention to protect will be more'fully explained in connection with the descriptior of the mechanism in' which I have illustrated the invention? ias emb odied and will then. be restated in thclaims.

Figure l is a side elevation of a machine embodying-this invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the fore part grippers. Fig. 3 isa vertical section. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the grippers showing them in a position occupied after they have gripped and pulled the upper. Fig. 5 is a. perspective view of the grippers and the wipers of the 1 machine. llig. (3 1s a detail view showing difierent positions occupied by the grippers last lmttom into lasted partially by hand, is not;

during their pulling movement; Fig. 7 is a detail of a part shown inFig. 6. Fig. 8 shows means for adjusting the grippers to adapt them to lasts of different shapes. Fig. 9 showsthe end lasting wipers and the means by which they are permitted to adjust themselves similarly to the grippers.

The machine which except for ping and pulling means may be the same as that shown in said copending application comprises means for resting a shoe including a bottom rest '2 and a heel rest 4. The mechanism for pulling the upper is actuated from ber 12 of the gripper lever. This bar has Y two depending studs or rods 16, eachof which slides in a sleeve which forms the upper end of a carrier 18. The gripping members, which comprise pivoted jaws 19 and relatively tixed jaws 20, are formed in sections, one section of the fixed jaw and one section of the pivoted jaw being supported by each of the carriers 18. The construction of a carrier. and its jaws is shown in the sectional view, Fig. 3, wherein it will lie-seen that the rigid memberQO is immov- I ably fixed to the carrier, while the movable member 19 is pivotedto the carrier and has a 'tail piece extending upwardly between guiding surfaces 'on a plunger 25. The plungeris fastened by the pin 26 to the bar 15 and-the carrier 184s yieldingly pressed downwardly with relation to the bar and the plunger by a spring 28. This arrangemerit-causes the carrier with its jaws to be moved by the spring dO'WIIWztIdly with relation to the contacting faces on the head of the plunger, whereby the. pivoted jawis swung toward thehxed aw for closing the 'lVhcn' the, lever l0, 1.2 is moved grippers. in the direction for uplifting the grippers the movement is transmitted through the bar 15 and the plunger 25 for n'iaintaining thc grippers closed.

7 In. order to open the grippers the carrier 1.8 is n' ovidod with shoulilers 30 (see Fig. i) adapted to engage seats Ul. abutments which are rigidly supported and hold the carrier with relation to the descending bar and the plunger, thus forcing the contacting faces of the plunger dtnvnwardly along the tail piece of the pivoted jawand rocking the jaw into the position shown in Fig. 2. The gripper carriers can-be raised manually, with the grip tance for swinging member 27. pivoted to the leversection 12 and having toothed engagement with a hand lever 29. The jaws are curved and preferably have substantially continuous gripping faces to receive the upper on the opposite sides and the end of the toe 0r forward portion of the shoe, as shown best in Figs. 4 and 5. 'As herein shown, the rear or heel portions of the jaws extend backwardly from the carrier a considerable disengaging the upper along the sides of the shoe.

The arrangement by which the sections of' the aws at opposite sides of the middle of the shoe are separately mounted upon the rotatable carriers 18 permits the jaws to be adjusted or spread for shoes of different sizes. Preferably the jaws will be formed and normally positioned in a larger curve or a curveot longer radius than the curvature of the end portion of the last. For positioning the sections of the jaws each shoulder is arranged to engage a positioning device having inclined walls between which tl e shoulder becomes seated and by which the carrier is angularly adjusted onits stem 16 when the grippers are depressed and opened for receiving the stock. The positioning devices are supported on plates 36 for angular adjustment and to this end said devices have curved slots through which extend pins from the plates 36. The pins carry clamping or fastening means 37 which may be set up for holding the positioning devices in adjusted position. It will be observed that the devices for the two sides of the grippers are-independ ently adjustable so that they may be relatively positioned to adapt the sections of the-grippers to lasts having more-swing on the outer side than on,thc inner side. The described positioning means determines the annular relation of the sections of the grippol-s when in grip 'iing position and their relation during the initial portion of the pulling movement- As the pulling movement progresses, however, the shoulders 30 rise out of contact with the positioning devices and the sections of the grippers are then free to position themselves according tothe edge contour of the forward portion of the last. A spring 48 mounted on a rod extending between. ears on the outer edges holdingthesections normally spread apart with a.yielding; .fonce; By thisspring the sectionslof' the grippers are yieldingly restrainedand steadied in swinging together 3 dur ng the npperistretehing operation. The

more important function of this spring,

- Most of the lasts in use are be employed for.

however, is to separate or swing outwardly the sections of the jaws after the jaws havebeen closed inwardly during the action of the wipers, as will be later described.

The plates 36 through which-the carriers 18 are guided and upon which the positioning devices 35 are adjustably supported are themselves mounted for adjustment trans rersely of the machine last. To this end said with a rack bar 45 which is engaged by a segment on a lever 46 having a spring looking pin for engaging a ratchet to hold the rack bar in adjusted position. The connection between the rack bar and the plates 36 is an indirect one formed by the guide bars 49 in which the plates 36 are movable forwardly and backwardly or length- Wise of the last.

Fig. 8 shows meanswhich may be used with the parts shown in Figs. l-and 4 for simultaneously adjusting angularly the positioning devices 35 for the two gripper plates are connected sections and, inasmuch as the shoulders 30 on the gripper section carriers rest in the devices 35 the illustrated construction ovides means for adjusting the curved ore part grippers angularly about an axis in the ine of their pulling movement. As shown in said figure, the plates 36 have toothed collars surrounding the gripper carriers 18 and a lever 50 is pivoted at 51 onthe plate 36. Segments'52 are mounted on the same pivot and are independently and adjustably connected by readily accessible screws 53 to the adjacent short arm of the lever. The long arm ofthe where the operator can readily engage it for adjusting the positioning devices andtherefore the gripper sections together angularly, it being understood that the clamps 37 are loosened at such times. A spring pin 54 engages a fixed roughened plate 55 to retain the lever in its adjusted position. This plate 55 is shown as having ears 56 which receive adjustable stop screws 57. These screwsmay serve to limit the throw of the lever for the particular style of lasts being operated upon which have excess of swing on their outer sides. The lever would be thrown against one stop as shown to adjust the grippers angularly for a right last and against the other stop for a left last. crooked as well as having excess of swing on the outer sides and the arrangcment'shown' in Fig. 8 provides for simultaneously adjusting the grippers transversely of the last and also angularly. The lever 50 ispivoted to the plate 36, while the plate 55 is stationary so that whelr the lever 46 is manipulated the lever or widthwise of the lever extends forwardly right-hand end gular direction, 'theoneat the right having moved inwardly and the one at the left having tui ned outwardly on the outer side er:

ihe dotted lines show the position which a similar left last will occupy and it will be readily understood that a movement of the slide L5 toward the left will afie d) theap propriate adj ust for the greater swing that last. ,It willbe observed that trans,- verse adjustment alone takes place during the first part of the movement of the adjusting slide 45 and that theang ular or turning adjustment of' the grippers occurs.

during the last part of that movement of the slide. Alimited lateral adjustment to either side of the median line of themachine can,

lever rises for therefore, be obtained without effecting angular adjustment. By adjusting the stops 5'? the amount of angular adjustment of the grippers automatically obtained during the lateral adjustment can. be variedor they can be retracted to render them inoperative and angular. adji f tme nti wheii required be obtained by separa "fii ovement of the lever 50. i I

The I gripper bar 15 is provided on its rear face with a cam surface 60, or as shown in Fig. 4. with apair of cam surfaces 60, adapted to engage a roller 62 which is maintained in a fixed position during the uplifting movementof the grippers and serves to swing the gripper bar wardly. By this means the upper at the opposite sides and the end of the forward portion of the-shoe is strained forwardly while being pulled upwardly. The member 12 of the gripper vided with depending guideways 7 2, the adjacent faces of which are inclined upwardly {and forwardly, as shown in Fig.1. The

frame of the machine supports a roll having astud- 74 with which these inclined faces are adapted to engage as the guidin g pulling the upper. This on gagement compels the member-l2 of the le- 4 the gripper bar forwar inclines:72 on the ver to slide forwardly with relation to the member 10-, thus carrying the upper end of dly and causing that bar to fulcrum or rock about its point of engagenient} with-the combined roller 62. The combined efiectof the cams60 and the he full line right last.

ment of the grippers for closed inwardly over,

and the jaws forlever has a plate 7 0 pro- A gripper bar isto swing i ontiltthe rear orihe'el ends of the gripper jaws upwardly. I The movements or the jaws.

caused by the cam faces andth e inclines are represented diagrammatically in Fig. 6.

It willbe observed tially neutralizes the tendency of the incline 72 to move the gripper jaws backwardly while it does not lessen the upward movement or liftingof the heels of the jaws. The machine comprises means fully explained in said co-pending application and in-United States Letters Patent-663,777 for effecting or permitting relative adjustment of the upper and last after the up or has been pulled and while it is held un er tension for the purpose "of straightening and .30

accurately positioning the upper in pulled over position upon the last. The construc-. tion of this mechanism formsno part of the present-invention and is, therefore, not here-"described.

. The lasting devices for forcing the pulled-over upperinto lasted position comprise the side wiper plates and the connecting wiper guidewa'y or groove free sliding movement transversely of the that the cam face 60 parplate 82 mounted in a curved I 83 in the carrier 84 for last. The side wipers are connected by links 85 and an equalizing bar 86-with a rack bar 88 arranged to be actuated'by a shaft having a hand lever90, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. A spring 92 forms a yielding element between the connecting plate 82 and the rack I bar 88: The arrangement of the'wipers and their actuating mechanism ermits the wipers to move transversely o the shoe in a curved path to adjust themselves as indi cated in Fig. 9 to the position and the shape of the last and causes the wipers to be moved lengthwise of the last and simultaneously the bottom of the last from the opposite sides as the hand lever 90 is turned. During this'mov'ement of the wipers the grippers may be forced backwardly moreor less and will also close inwardly overfthe shoe bottom, the roller- 62 controlling the backward movement of the grippers and preferably causing them to maintain a forward tension on the marginal portion of the upper.

In the'use of the machine a shoe will be positioned against the rests 2 and 4 and the marginal portion of the upper inserted between the gripper jaws whichare automatically depressed and-opened at the end of each operation. I The form and position of the sections of the fore p'art them to receive the forward portion of. the upper about the curved en ofthe last and the continuous gripping faces hold the upper without permitting any wrinkles to form in it. When the machine is started the grippers are closed and uplifted, the

fore part grippers gripping and pulling the entire toe portion of the upper at' both sides substantially as far back as the usual lasting wiper" lates reach as well as at grippers adapts the the end" of the last,

' so engaged the upper The positioning devices 35 spre'ad the-sections of'the'grippers apart and insure an. initial pulling of the upper obliquely away from the sides of the last whereby the upper is drawn over the top face of the last. As the stops 30 rise from their seats in the positioning devices the carriers 18 are of the jaws to the width and shape of the last and in this movement the upper is wrapped or drawn up against the side faces of the last. During the rise of the causing the sides as well as the toe end of the upper to be strained lengthwise ofthe last. The upper and particularly the marginal; portion of the upper is preferably held under such lengthwise strain or tension during tlie subsequent operations on the shoe. In the latter part of the rise of the grippers the inclines 72 become operative for moving the upper end of the gripper bar forwardly and lifting the heel ends of the gripper jaws. This movement of the heel ends of the the sides of the toe with relation to the upper at the end of the toe. This movement is of particular importance in drawing the upper snugly down to the Wood of the last over the sides formed, as is common at the present day, with a nub or high place over the toe, as indicated in Fig. 6,the relative upward movement of the heel ends of the jaws draws the upper down upon the rear. incline of this high place, at a portion of the shoe which has heretofore been difficult to shape snugly. The machine automatically comes to rest with theupper under tension to permit the operator to inspect the shoe and adjust the upper to the last relatively. If at this time it is found that the fore part gripper has not as to pull it correctly upon the particular last in the machine the gripper may be shifted or moved trans versely of the last by means of the rack bar 45 and the lever. This adjustment may be employed for effecting a movement of the upper transversely across the last especially the part of the upper at the sides of the toe engaged by the rear portions of the jaws. If necdful the gripper lever which is provided with a handle on itsfront endand is yieldinglyconnected to its cam at the rear end may be depressed to slackcn the pull of the forepart grippers while this adjustment is being made or for any other purpose and in the event that the operator finds it necessary to release the toe portion of the upper the gripper jawsmay be opened and reengaged with the upper by manipulating the hand lever 29. After the upper has been ulled and such adjustments made as are permitted to swing by the. tensiop of the upper to adapt the position grippers I the cam'60 forces. the grippers forwardly,

jaws effects a final pull on the upper at of the toe and if the last is conforming the upper to the last necessary for completing the pulling-over operation the wipers are advanced for force,

must move rearwardly or lengthwise of the shoe. This movement of the side wipers backwardly in contact with the upper as they are being closed inwardly tends to push the upper backwardly at the rear ends of the wipers, but this tendency is offset or partially offset by the forward pull which has been givento the upper and preferably also by the fact that the grippers are still holdin the upper under lengthwise tension; Thus t e formation of fullness orwrinkles at the rear ends of the wipers of the endlasting mechanism is avoided.

If the lasts on which the shoes are being pulled-over and lasted have more swing or projection on the outer side of the too or fore part thanon the inner side the devices 35 may be relatively adjusted to position the If the lasts are crooked lasts having the median lines of the fore part at an an Is to the median line of the heel part the a justing means 45, 46 as well as the devices 35 may be shifted for positioning the fore l ne of the machine for pulling and lastin the left shoes and at the left hand side 0 the median line of the machine for pulling and lasting right shoes.

Having explained the nature of this invention and described a preferred construction embodying the same, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States j 1. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers comprising 'curved jaws arranged to engagethe upper in a substantially mgaround th toe of the last and means for adjusting sai grippers as a unit trnnsverselg of the last. 2. machine of the class described, havcurved jaws ,arranged to engage the upper in a substantially uninterrupted line extending around the toe end of the last, and means for supporting the grippers constructed and arranged to permit them to be adjusted as a unit transversely "of the last.

3. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers comprising curved jaws formed in relatively turning sections for engaging the upper around the toe of the last, and means for supporting the grippers.

4. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers comprising part*- rippers at the right hand side of the median unmterrupted line extend- '115 -,ing, in combination, grippers comprising manages curved jaws for "engaging the upper around the toe of the last, and means for supporting thegrippers constructed and arranged to permit them to be shifted transversely or;

the last andto'turn whereby they may be adapted to the position and shape of the toe tively while the upper is under tension to adapt the grippers to the last.

6, A machine of the classdescribed, having, in combination, grippers comprising curved sectional jaws freely movable transtheshape and size of versely of the shoe to adapt their shape to the edge'contour of the toe end of the last.

7. machine of the class described, having, in combination, fore part grippers comprising curved sectional aws movable about adjacent axes located at the toe end of the last to adapt their relative position to the width of the last.

8. Amachine of the class described, having, in combination, fore part gripperagi j comprising curved sectional jaws each vable about an axis located atthe toe end of the last to adapt their relative position to the width of the last, and means for automath cally returning the jaws to a predetermined 1 relative position for gripping;

9. A machine of the class described, hav

ing, in combination, grippers comprising curved sectlonal aws each movable freely about an axis located at the end of the last whereby their relative position while pulling the upper is adapted to the width of t e last,

I and adjustable means to vary the gripping position of the jaws.- I

10. Ama chineof the class described,h'aving', in combination, grippers comprising curved sectional jaws'movable about adja centaxeslocated at the toe end of the last to adapt their relative position to the width of the last, and means for determining the gripping relation of the sections, said means being adapted for adjustment to'cause the curved jaws to face in the desired direction relatively to the median line of themachine.

11. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers provided with curved jaws to engagethe upper at the toe end and opposite sidesof the forward pd'rtion of a shoe, means for actuating the grippers to pull the upper, means for supporting the grippers to permit them to move for carryin the upper inwardly over the last bottom, and independently movable means for forcing the upper into lasted position on the last bottom. r

12. A machine of the class described, having, in: cpmbination, grippers provided with curved jaws to'engagethe upper at the toe and opposite sides of the 'forward portion of a. shoe, means for actuating the grip}? rs to pull the upper; and means for adjusting the jaws together transversely of the last.

, 13. A machine of the class-described, having, in'combination, grippers provided with curved jaws to engage the upper at the toe end and opposite sides oil-the forward portion of a shoe, and means for actuating the jaws to pull the gripped upper at said end and sides of the shoe forwardly while it is being pulled upwardly.

l'-.'l-. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers provided with curved jaws to engage the upper at the toe and opposite sides of the iorward portion of a shoe, means for actuating the grippers to end and opposite sides of the forward por-.

tion ofa shoe, means for actuating the grippers to pull the upper, means for actuating the jaws forwardly during the pulling movement, andrneans for lifting the rear portions of the'jaws relatively to the front portions. j

16. .A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers with wide jaws adapted to engage the upper for a substantial distance along the edge of the last, and means for actuating the grippers to pull the upper comprising means for lifting one end portion of the jaws relatively to the opposite end portion,

17. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers with wideja-ws adapted to engage the upper for a substantial distance along the edge of the last, and means for actuating the grippers to pull the upper, said actuating -means having provision for tilting the jaws endwise while the upper is under tension.

18. A machine of the class described, having, incombination, grippers with wide jaws adapted to engage the upper for a sulgstantial distance'along the edge of the last, and

means for actuating the grippers to pull the upper, said means having provision for bodily moving the grippers lengthwise of the shoe and foe tilting the jaws endwise to lift the rear ends thereof relatively to the forward portions.

19. A machine of the class described, haw ing, in combination, sectional jaws having substantially continuous gripping faces for gripping the upper at theppposite sides and the middle of the toe endpf the last, means for lifting'the grippers to pull the upper and means adapted'to determine. the relative lateral position of the said gripping means during the first part of the pulling move.-

. I '85 described, havment and to permit the gripping means to assume a different relative lateral position When the upper has been pulled.

20. A machine'of the class described, hav ing means for gripping the upper. at opposed sides of the shoe, actuating mechanism therefor, and means for holding the grippers spread apart during the gripping and initial pulling of the upper, said last mentioned means being constructed and arranged to permit the grippers to approach the last edge during the latter part ofthe pulling movement. a

21. A machine of the class described, having sectional grippers for gripping the upper at opposed sides of the shoe, and means for initially positioning the said grippers wide apart to facilitate the insertion of the upper and adapted to permit the grippers to assume positions determined by the size and shape of the last when the upper is put under tension.

22. A machine of the class described, having curved sectional grippers formed and arranged with substantlally continuous gripping faces for gripping the upper at the end and opposite sides of the shoe, and means for causing the grippers to pull the upper first obliquely outward away from the side faces of the last and then permit the grippers to move toward the last to wrap the upper about the side faces of the last.

A machine of the class described, having, in combination, means for gripping the upper at opposed sides of the shoe, and adjustable means for initially positioning the grippers at the two sides of the shoe different distances apart, said means being arranged to permit the grippers to adapt their relative position during the pulling movement to the size and shape of the shoe.

24:. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, means for gripping the upper at opposed sides of the shoe, means for gripping and pulling the forward portion of an upper at the end and opposite sides of the toe of a last, and wipers movable inwardly and backwardly to force the pulled upper into lasted position, said machine having provision for imparting to the pulling means a forward movement to put the upper 'at the sides-of the shoe under lengthwise tension to counteract the backward push of the wipers.

25. A machine of. the class described, having, in combination, grippers for engaging an upper at the sides and end of the forward portion of a last and actuating mechanism for moving the grippers upwardly and forwardly to thereby strain the upper at the end and along the sides of the shoe in I the directions in which the I grippers are moved and then further actuating said grippers upwardly and bacl wardly to straln the and backwardly,

upper at said points in the last-named direction.

' 26. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers for engaging an upper at the sides and end of the forward portion of alast and actuating mechanism for moving the grippers upwardly and forwardly and then farther upwardly said mechanism being arranged to impart to the portions of the grippers holding the upper at the sides an upward movement relatively to the portion holding the upper at the toe end of the last.

27. A machine of the class described. having, in combination, grippers for engaging an upper at the sides and"end of the forward portion of a last and means for actuating said grippers, means at the end and sides upwardly and forwardly to strain the upper for the full width thereof.

28. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers provided with curved jaws presenting substantially continuous gripping faces for engaging the upper at the sides and end of the toe portion of a shoe and means for actuating the grippers upwardly and forwardly with'relation to the last to apply continuous strain to the upper for the full width thereof, at the sides and end of the shoe.

29. -A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers provided with curved jaws presenting substantially continuous gripping faces for engaging the upper at the sides and end of the toe portion ofa shoe and means for actuating the grippers forwardly and upwardly and then tilting the grippers forwardly with relation to the last.

30. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers for engaging the upper at the sides of the end portion of the last, means for actuating the grippers having provision for causing them to pull the engaged upper forwardly, and end lasting means movable backwardly and inwardly to force the pulled upper into lasted position. I

31. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, forepart grippers for engaging the upper at the sides of the end portion of the last, means for actuating the grippers having provision for causing them to pul the engaged upper forwardly, forepart lasting means including side wipers arranged to have a'component of backward movement in their operative stroke, and means to act on the upper at the sides of the shoe to counteract the eifect of the backward push of the wipers.

32. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, toe lasting means including side wipers arrangedto have a component of backward movement in their operative stroke, and means to force the upper at, the sides of the shoe forwardly preparatory for the action of the wipers.

.33. A machine of the class described, hav ing, in combination, grippers for engaging the upper at theisides of the end portion of the last, means for actuating thegrippers having'provision for causing them to pull the engaged upper forwardly, toe lasting means including side wipers arranged to have a component of backward movement in their operative stroke, and means for holding the upper forwardly while the wipers move backwardly.

34. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, curved gripping jaws "constructed and arranged to engage the upper at the end and opposite sides of a last,

and means for shifting said gripping jaws as a unit transversely of the last.

, 35. A machine of the class described, haviiig, in combination, gripping jaws constructed, and arranged to engage the upper at opposite sides of a last, and means for shifting said gripping jaws together transverselyof the last, said machine having provision for relaxing the tension on the upper while the jaws are being shifted.

36. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers comprising sectional jaws arranged toengage the upper in a substantially uninterrupted line extending around the toe of the last, said grippers being'movable about adjacent axes to conform to the contour of the toe, and means for actuatin the grippers.

37. A mac ine of the class described having, in combination, sectional gri pers comprising adjacent pivotally mounted sections arranged to engage. the upper in a substantially uninterrupted line extending around the toe of the last and arranged for relative angular movement about separate axes which are spaced laterally apai't to adapt them to the contour of the edge of the last.

38. A machine of the class described havrelative positions to the adjacent edge contour of the last.

39. A machlnc of the class described having, in combination, grippers comprising adjacent sectional pairs or aws tor gripp ng adjacent edge sections of upper, means for supporting the pairs of jaws to permit the re tive positions to the adjacent edge conton r of the last, and means for restoring the ions tomoveangularly to adapt their.

sections-to a normal relation after each 0peration of the machine.

40. Aamachine of the class described having, in combination, grippers having curved jaws adapted, to grip the upper at the OPPO-r site sides and end of thetoe portion of a;

shoe, means for lifting the grippers to pull i the upper at the .end and sides ofthe toe, i r and means for later lifting the rear ends of the jaws to pull the upper at the sides with relation to the upper at the toe end. 41. A machine of the class described having, in combination, toe grippers having curved jaws adapted to grip the upper at v the opposite sides and end of the toe portion of a shoe, means for lifting the grippers to pull the upper, at the end and sides of the toe, and means for rocking the jaws to apply additional tension to the belt of gripped upper extending transversely across the top of the last. 7

. 42. A machine of the class described having, incombination, gripping means com prising toe endgripper sections relatively movable angularly with relation to each other and additionally movable as a unit transversely of the shoe, and means permitting movement'of the grippers sections inde pendently. l

43. Amachine of the class described having, in combination, gripping means comprising gripper sections relatively movable angularly and means for ad usting said sections as a unit.

44. A machine of the class described hav' T ingain combination, g'ripping'ineans comprising sections relatively movable angularly with relation toeach other and also transversely of the shoe, and separatedevices for efi'ecting the said adjustments. -45. Aniachine of the class described having, in "combination, gripping means com .b

,prising' sections relatively movable angularly with relation to each other and also transversely1of the shoe, and means by which said't'wo adjustments can be effected."-

' 46. A machine of the class described hav ing, iii combination, gripping means com? prising sections-relatively movable angularly with rclationfto eachother and also transversely of the shoe, and one manually controlled device arranged for shifting the grippers transversely of the last during one part of 1ts throw and for both transversely i and angularly ad usting the grippers during another part of its throw.

j 47. A machine 0t theclass described having, in combination, gripping means comprising relatively adjustable toe gripper seetions connected together for adjustment si multaneously.

48. A machine of the class d scribed hav- 1' ing, in combination, grip prising relatively adjustab ved toegripmeans comper sections operativelyconnectedfor adjustwiper plate, and a support having a guide- 65 mcnt together in opposite directions; way for the connecting plate curved around 49. A machine of the class described haw the toe of the last. 4 v mg, in combination, grlppmg means com- 57. A machine for working an upper over prising sections relatively movable angualast, having in combination, a gripper, a larly with relation to each other and also' lever to which the ripper is pivotally'con- 70' transversely of the shoe, means by which infected and by whic it is'uplifted for pull the two adjustments can be effected, and ing the upper, and means for movingmeans for varying the relative transverse perpendicularly to the direction of the pulland angular adjustments produced. ing strain during the pulling operation the 50. A machine of the class described havportionlof the lever to which the gripper -75 ing, in combination, gripping means comis connected. prising sections relatively movable angu- 58. A machine for working an upper over larly with relation to each other and also a last, having in combination, agripper, and transversely of the shoe, said means permita lever to which the gripper-1s connected ting free angular movement of the gripper and by which it-is uplifted for ullin the 80 sections during a portion of the machines upper, said lever being movab e en wise operation, and means for restoring the gripduring the pulling operation to shift the pers to a predetermined angular relation point of connection with the gripper.

preparatory to the next operation. 59. A machine for working an' upper over 51. A machine of the class described hava last, having in combination, a gripper, a, 85 ing, in combination, end lasting wipers and lever to which the grippemis connected an supporting means having a guideway curved by which it is uplifted for pulling the upp r, about a center located a substantial distance saidlever being formed in two relati 1y 7 back from the adjacent end of the last and endwise movable sections and mean for in which {l the wipers are freely movable moving said sections relatively during the 90 around the toe end of the last to position pulling operation. 4 themselve's for diiferent shapes of lasts. 60. A machine for working an upper over v '52HLmachine of the class described hava last, having in combination, a gripper, a ing, in combination, shoe resting means, end lever to which the gripper is connected and i tasting wipers, wiper operating means and by which it is uplifted for pulling the up- 95 supporting means therefor having a bearing per, said lever comprising a gripper suplocated in front of the shoe in which the porting section which is endwise movable on wipers are bodily movable relatively to their the main section, and means adapted to besupporting means and operating means come operative during the pulling operation transversely of the last in a curved path for shifting said section. about a center located a substantial distance 61. -A machine for working anupper over back from the adjacent end of the last. a last, having in combination, grippers and I 53. A machine of the class described havactuating mechanism therefor including a. 40 ing, in combination, grippers adapted for lever arranged for rocking movement to pulling an upper at the toe end of a last uplift the grippers and also for movement 105 and arranged for lateral movement to adapt automatically in a different direction during them to the lateral position of the last, and the pulling operation to modify the strain toe lasting wipers also arranged for lateral effected by the grippers. movement with relation to the last. 62. A machine for working an upper over 54. A machine of the class described hava last, having in combination, curvedgrip- 11o ing, in combination, grippers adapted for pers for engaging the upper atthe end and pulling an up er at the toe end of a last opposite" sides of the toe of a shoe, means and arranged or lateral movement to adapt for actuating the "grippers to pull the upthem to the lateral position of the last, and per, and means for holding the grippers intoe lasting wipers arrangedsfor free bodily itiallyspread from the edges ofthe last to 11:; movement in a curved path around the toe pull the upper outwardly therefrom, said end of the last. I mafis being constructed and arranged to j 55. A machine of the class described havpermit the rippers to'approach the edge, of ing, in combination, lasting devices includ the last at t e sides butnotat the endof the ing grippers adapted for pulling an upper toe as theyrise. I f at the toe end of a last and arranged' for an- 63. A machine for working an upper over gular'movement transversely of the last, and a last, having in combination, curved griptoe Wipers bodily movable around the toe pers for. 'engag1n theupper at the end and end. of the last to adapt their lateral position opposite sides 0 the toe of a shoe,.means to the location of the last. for a'ctuatingth'egrippcrs topull the up 125 56. A machine'of theclass described havper, and'means'for holding the grippers- 'n-- ing, in combination, end lasting means comitially spread from the edges 0 the last'to prising side wiper plates and a connecting pull the upper outwardly therefrom, said means being constructed and arranged to permit the grippers to approach the edge of the last at the sides and to cause them to move farther outwardly from the edge at the 5 toe end as the'yrise in pulling the upper.

64:. A machine of the class described having, in combination, grippers adapted for pulling an upper at the toe end of a last,

- said grippers comprising an inner jaw that is shaped to center the last laterally in the machine and being adjustable transversely of the machine.

65. A machine of the class described having, in combination, side and toe grippers,

said toe grippers being formed and arranged to present a toe end abutment for the last and to position the last laterally with relation to the side grippers, and means permit ting said toe gripper to be fixed in different positions of transverse adjustment relatively to the side grippers.

66. A machine of the class described having, in combination, shoe supporting means and toe lasting means comprising a wiper supporting head having an arc-shaped guidew'ay and wipers mounted for lateral curvilinear adjustirient in said guideway in a path having its approximate center under the forward portion of the shoe at a substanpial distance back from the toe end of the ast. T

67. A machine of the class described having, in combination, shoe supporting meansv -;and lasting means comprising a wiper supporting head having an arc-shaped guideway and wipers which are bodily-movable laterally in said guideway about a center located back of the adjacent end of the last and capable of angular positioning move- 40 ment to face toward the right or the left of the median line of the machine to engage,

similarly the two sides of a right or a left crooked last.

68. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, curved grippers formed and. arranged to seize an upper throughout substantially the full Width of the fore part of the shoe, and means for actuating the grippers forwardly to tension the vamp and adjacent portions of the quarterslengthwise of the last and maintain the upper under tension until the upper is secured.

69. A machine of the class described having, incombination, curved grippers formed and arranged toseize an upper throughout substantially the full width of the fore part of the shoe, and means for actuating the grippers lengthwise of the last and upwardly to stretch the entire upper'longitudi- 6.0 nally and also to actuate the grippers to side faces of the last and inwardly toward draw the upper over the toe portion of the last while still under tension:

70. A machine of the class described having in combination, grippers and actuating means for pulling an upper at the toe and 66 opposite sides of a shoe, said means being constructed and arranged to cause the grippers to pull upwardly on the portions of the upper at the sides of the shoe relatively to the portion at the end. 70

71. A machine of the class described having in combination, grippers for seizing an upper at the toe end and sides of a shoe, and actuating means to cause the grippers to pull the upper with greater force at the sides than at the toe end.

72. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for supporting a last, of wipers constructed and arranged to embrace the toe portion of a shoe, rub the upper upwardly along the side face of the last, and then wipe the upper inwardly over the edge of the last, means for gripping the upper at opposite sides of the toe end and holding it under strain during the upwardly rubbing and inwardly wiping action of the Wipers, and means for imparting relative movements to said last support, wipers and grippers for the purposes described.

73. A machine for working an upper over the fore-part of a last having, in combination, end embracing wipers, grippers comprising two pairs of jaws separate from the wipers and formed and arranged to engage the upper at the curved portions of the toe on opposite sides of the end oi": the toe, means for relatively actuating the grippers and the last in a direction to tighten the upper and maintain it under tension until the Wipers engage it and separate means for actuating the wipers to lay the upper into lasted position about the'toe of the last.

74. A machine of the class described having, in combination, grippers arranged to engage the upper about the toe end of a last, means for actuating said grippers relatively to the last to updraw the upper and also to outdraw it, toe embracing wipers, and means for operating them to wipe the upper up the the bottom of the toe while the grippers maintain the outdrawing strain on the margin of the upper.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, RONALD I MOFEELY.

Witnesses:

CHARLES H. HoY'r, ARTHUR L. RUssnLL.

Correctiens ih Letters Patent No. 1,135,952.

' the Words toe 'end;'-

'19 15 upon the applicatihil of Ronald-F. M cFee ly, of Beverly,

an improvemerit' in Apparatiis for Making Boots and Shoes,

I w, It is hereby certified thairin Letthrs Patent No. 1,135,952, grant' ed April 13, Massachusetts, for errors appear in the printed speeificatien reqliiri g eel rection as follows: Page 8, line 82, claim 27, Shrike eut the comma arid the jv vord l n eans word gripping insert the whrds toe end; same page and claim, line 88, strike out ahd: that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the z ecord of the case in the Patent Office. 1

Signed and sealed this 18th day of January, A. D., 1916.

[SEAL] J. T. NEWTON, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 01. 124.

page 9, line 87 claim 42, befere the 

